Pakistan attain hosting rights for inaugural edition of over-40 Senior Cricket World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has developed a new concept of over-40 Senior Cricket World Cup. The tournament will feature veteran players aged 40 and above from all over the world, battling it out against each other.

The tournament's inaugural edition will be played next year between September 23 to October 28, 2023. Fourteen cricket nations, namely Pakistan, India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Zimbabwe, Wales, Namibia, United Arab Emirates, West Indies, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, have registered for the World Cup.

Out of 14 nations, only 12 will be selected to participate in the marquee event. According to reports, Pakistan has been assigned the hosting rights for the multi-lateral tournament. Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) confirmed the news. PVCA Chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan appeared before the media to speak about the new tournament kickstarting from next year. 

Fawad mentioned that it is no less than an honour for the Asian country to host the league while many other countries competed for the same. 

"The World Cup Over the 40s/50s Steering Committee announced the decision yesterday to give the hosting rights to Pakistan for the inaugural seniors over 40 Cricket World Cup. It is a great honor for Pakistan to get the hosting rights when other countries compete to host this tournament," Fawad Ijaz told Geo Super. 

Further, the chairman of the body gave out some basic details about the league. He revealed that 45-over matches would be played during the inaugural season. PVCA has finalized six different venues in Karachi to host the event. Also, the matches featuring Pakistan and the playoff games will be telecasted live in the country.

"An innings of the Seniors World Cup will consist of 45 overs. The matches will be played at six different grounds in Karachi. Day and night matches will also be played during the World Cup. The finals of the event will be telecasted live," the chairman added.

Fawad is also hopeful of Pakistan creating history by lifting the trophy. He believes that veteran Pakistan players, including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, will participate in the event to give a tough fight to other teams. 

"Test cricketers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Muhammad Hafeez, and others over 40 years of age will also be seen in action," Fawad concluded.